At 13h42, Monday, 11 December, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew and CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Milnerton Lagoon Beach.
Milnerton SLC (Surf Lifesaving Club) lifeguards, CoCT lifeguards, NSRI Melkbosstrand rescue swimmers, CoCT Law Enforcement officers and CoCT Law Enforcement Marine Unit, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS, Community Medics, ER24 ambulance services and Netcare 911 ambulance services responded.
Local residents, hearing shouts for help, had investigated and on noticing 2 men caught in rip currents they rushed to the beach to assist.
A local male resident used an NSRI pink rescue buoy, stationed at the beach, and with use of the rescue buoy he was able to rescue both men to the beach where one man, age 25, collapsed unconscious and one man, age 30, appeared to be in a serious condition. They are both from Zimbabwe.
Lifeguards, stationed at Milnerton Surf Lifesaving Club, arriving on the scene, initiated medical treatment to both men.
The 25 year old man’s pulse stopped and he stopped breathing, lifeguards initiated CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts.
They were joined by paramedics who continued with advanced life support CPR on the 25 year old man while also medically stabilising the 30 year old man.
After all efforts to resuscitate the 25 year old man were exhausted sadly he was declared deceased.
The body of the man has been taken into the care of Police and Government health Forensic Pathology Services.
The 30 year old man was transported to hospital by ER24 ambulance in a critical condition.
Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man.
Family and friends received counselling from Fire and Rescue Services counsellors, assisted by lifeguards, Police and Law Enforcement, at Milnerton SLC.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
It appears that a group of friends had been at the beach since mid morning when the 2 men were caught in rip currents while swimming.
NSRI, lifeguards, Police and the combined emergency services are appealing to bathers to only swim at beaches protected by lifeguards.
The local residents are commended, despite the sad outcome, for their swift reaction that managed to get both men to the beach.
Our thoughts are with the survivor at hospital where doctors and nurses are fighting to save his life.
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